How to become a travel agent? What do you actually need?

I am flipping through career choices and the idea of a Travel Agent came up. I enjoy using computers to compare prices and do research, and travel is something i've always loved so thought this might be a cool job. I've heard conflicting stories about what training you need and if certifications are

I am flipping through career choices and the idea of a Travel Agent came up. I enjoy using computers to compare prices and do research, and travel is something i've always loved so thought this might be a cool job. I've heard conflicting stories about what training you need and if certifications are actually NEEDED. In most cases do these Travel Agents work for a company or completely independent? I'm very curious.

Other answer:

Eddy:
I am fairly certain that the category of Travel Agents has diminished to almost nothing.

Instead of trying desperately to get employed as a Travel Agent, become a CRUISE SHIP expert and book people on all the many cruise ship itineraries. I think it has become a whole separate job category. You will have fun learning about all the different ships and ship lines. There is a lot to learn. You must know each and every ship and all of their individual attributes. You will want to know if they have dancing at night. Gambling casinos (for the gambling types). Broadway shows. You will have to learn all of the entertainment aboard each vessel. How many ports of call? Where are they ? Which countries? What tours are offered the passengers? Water sports provided? How many restaurants aboard. Then you have to know which ships are small and almost like yachts. Which ships go into the Antarctic. And then you need to write a personal letter to all your customers and implore them not to get innebriated and fall off the ship at night in a lonely part of the vessel where nobody can hear you screaming for help. You know, take care of your customers!!!

Alex:
You need a time machine to travel to the past. Travel agent is a dead profession.

WRG:
Most work for Travel Agencies and it is a dying business. The internet has killed it. It is mainly bored housewives whose children are gone back to school. Not a good career choice.